Our board of directors comprise of some the most successful, innovate, experienced and compassionate InPowered women who have devoted themselves to being catalysts for change.

Judithe Registre

Founder & Chief Narration Officer

Expertise

Visionary, innovator, women and girls

International development, grant and project management

Resource mobilization

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BACKGROUND

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For more than two decades, Judithe Registre has traveled the world working with organizations determined to make a change in the lives of those living in extreme poverty and surviving in unbelievable circumstances. Judithe’s work as program director with Plan International, Women for Women International, the International Foundation for Election Systems, Africare and Freedom House has taken her to many developing countries to work for women’s political and socioeconomic rights and improved citizens’ political and social participation, as well as working on anti-poverty and economic development issues.

VOICE

“I’ve always had a desire to understand life and humanity’s place in it. I studied philosophy in an effort to do that. I turned toward international development not only because of my desire to understand life but also because I wanted to travel, embrace and affect people. I have great respect for those whose work has advanced the lives and dignity of others. Initially, I was drawn to work with children because that work could shape their futures. I also began to see the value of elders—their life experiences gave them wisdom and insight could offer so much to others in finding their places in their communities. As I am between the two stages, I see myself as an important bridge between them.

“In my professional career, each role has helped my development, empowering me to take the next step. Each place I worked, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, London or Washington, D.C., helped me to see the hopes and possibilities that inevitably rise from people’s determination to overcome despair, poverty and atrocity. It may be frightening, but there’s opportunity in acknowledging the primacy of humanity over political and social power. It’s always a journey to create balance; people can enable their own realities.

“My career has been a quest for authentic belonging and for being heard. However small my efforts, I still want to contribute to the development and advancement of social equality. The story of humanity must be varied; we all have to tell our stories to realize the full spectrum of possibilities.”

BACKGROUND

A graduate of Boston College, Judithe earned her master’s in philosophy and social policy at the American University in Washington, D.C. and her master’s certificate in advanced social research from Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg, South Africa. Widely traveled, she has experience working in Burkina Faso, sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt, Haiti, India and Nepal, Indonesia, the U.K., the U.S. and Vietnam. She speaks English, French and Haitian Creole.

CHAIRPERSON

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Cynthia Hardy Young has built a reputation of professionalism, high integrity, deep relationships, inspirational leadership, and delivering results at all stages of her career. Her keen analytical, diagnostic and change management skills, as well as her multi-cultural perspective, have uniquely equipped her to lead and advise organizations of various sizes, complexity and maturity in effectively transforming their operations.

Cynthia has a keen appreciation for stakeholder interests. She is adept at fostering and nurturing the relationships necessary to identify obstacles and formulate solutions; Cynthia focuses on establishing the fundamentals needed to transform lives.

Before she founded Pivot Global Partners, Cynthia had a distinguished and successful career in the insurance industry, working for AIG, Allstate, Hanover Insurance, and The Hartford Financial Group, among others, for more than two decades. She began her professional life as a commercial litigator at Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue.

VOICE

“Even as a teenager, I had the ability to influence others by working across divides and differences; leadership came naturally to me. I could see the possibilities and those possibilities propelled me to move forward, exchanging dreams for realities—never forgetting my origins—and creatively incorporating my life experiences to develop my skills and capitalize on opportunities. Teachers, ministers and others went out of their way to help me. With my mother as a life catalyst and great experiences as a background resource, I moved forward. At the heart of it is my passion for quality educational opportunities at all levels. With education, others can walk their journeys from underprivileged dependency to economic independence, from marginalized to majority.”

BACKGROUND

Cynthia graduated at the top of her class in high school and spent a year as an exchange student in Japan. She went on to graduate summa cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with a degree in economics. She earned her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame School of Law and studied international law at Notre Dame Matthias Concannon Programme of International Law in London, England.

Leah Curran Moon, PhD, MPA

SECRETARY

Independent scholar, artist & entrepreneur

Expertise

Feminist scholarship, art and activism

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Leah Curran Moon is an independent scholar, artist and entrepreneur whose work focuses on gender, sexuality and power. She has co-authored a number of publications, reports and papers on gender, race and sexuality in education, health and economic development, her performance work has been presented at multiple festivals and universities, and she is a frequent guest speaker and presenter on these topics at across the U.S. and Canada. Leah frequently teaches gender studies courses and is an evaluation consultant with Plan International’s Because I am a Girl campaign.

VOICE

“My commitment to feminist work, and to social justice more broadly, has defined and driven my career. I’ve always been interested in social issues, but it took some time to discover and hone a gender-critical approach. My feminist consciousness really began to develop through reading great thinkers like bell hooks and Patricia Hill Collins. Through this work, I really began to integrate intersectional thinking about race, class, gender and power into my scholarship, art and activism. Finding my voice hasn’t been a static thing; I’ve constructed, nurtured and negotiated it over time. I am constantly revisiting and refining—it is something in motion.”

BACKGROUND

Leah has more than 17 years’ experience with social justice work in think tanks, NGOs and academia. Her performance work on these topics has been shown at Whitman College, the Clarice Smith Center for Performing Arts, the University of Maryland, Capital Fringe, Asheville Fringe, Atlas Theatre, the Phillips Collection, Katzen Center for the Arts, Dance Place, the DC Jazz Festival and the WPA Art Parade. She is also interested in social justice through food, and recently opened a vegan catering company, DC Vegan Catering, with her partner. Leah holds a BA and an MPA from Cleveland State University and a PhD from The George Washington University.

Lisa R. Klein, PT, IMT.C

TREASURER

Founder / Total Health Physical Therapy, LLC

Expertise

Adult and pediatric orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation

Integrative Manual Therapy advocate and practioner

Holistic and alternative medicine

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Lisa Klein’s bases her work as a physical therapist of patients recovering from traumatic injuries on a strong belief in treating the whole patient. During her training and early career, Lisa found most treatment modalities focus on restoring function without addressing the root causes; she realized that omission could provide little more than palliative care. In the course of her continuing studies, Lisa recognized the value of individualized whole-patient treatment plans developed through Integrative Manual Therapy techniques in restoring her patients to health.

Lisa has worked in virtually every traditional physical therapy setting and has incorporated that experience into her IMT therapy. She also experience and training in Pilates, Integral Hatha Yoga, neuro feedback, and Sensory Integration.

VOICE

“I could never understand why, especially in patient care, anyone would accept the status quo; it’s just not OK. I’ve always believed contextual healing is achieved on a microcosmic level. As a physical therapist, I can feel the relief and healing in a patient’s body when he voices his story: It’s an amazing experience. Research has repeatedly shown strong links between trauma and individual health. Trauma isn’t limited to our physical being; it affects all aspects of our lives. When someone with strong beliefs and life experiences has the courage to speak, it can change her life. There is therapeutic power in telling your story.”

BACKGROUND

Lisa holds Bachelor of Science degrees from Adelphi University (biology) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (physical therapy), graduating in 1991. In 2002, she achieved certification in Integrative Manual Therapy from the Connecticut School of Integrative Manual Therapy; in 2010, she earned her autism certification from Westbrook University. In addition, she has completed many additional hours of continuing education.

NANCY R. SMITH

Independent Consultant / Writer

Expertise

Program/seminar design, implementation and facilitation

Partnership development

Donor research and fundraising

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Based in Salzburg, Austria, Nancy consults with international nongovernmental and philanthropic organizations; working to provide multi-stakeholder/multi-cultural program development and implementation. Her work includes project management, partnership development and management, as well as seminar development and facilitation. She also supports these organizations with donor research, fundraising and grant development.

VOICE

“I developed an early and strong belief in our interdependence on all levels: individual, communal and international and that led to my recognition of deep and systemic social injustices. In high school, I traveled to East Germany as a student ambassador. During my visit, the political intimidation became clearly evident. People were nervous and ill at ease; there wasn’t freedom of movement or conversation; there was a sort of overarching intimidation in the society.

“That realization led me into more observation and analysis because I felt I must justify my opinions and be able to counter better-reasoned positions. Then a professor told me I didn’t need all the answers; that I’m a full and complete person whose opinions counted. That was very freeing for me and I began to understand not only how important voice is, but also that I could, should and need to use my voice when and where I can. Individual voices shouldn’t be silenced because of intimidation and violence—political or personal.”

BACKGROUND

Nancy’s international, political and cultural experience, professionally and personally, supports her work for greater equality and a more socially just world, especially for women and girls. She draws on her academic background in politics, women’s studies and international relations to support her program development consultancy.

MVEMBA DIZOLELE

Leadership strategy and advocacy advisor

Author, analyst, lecturer and independent journalist

Expertise

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BACKGROUND

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Currently, Mvemba is a senior strategy and advocacy adviser at Eastern Congo Initiative, a lecturer in African Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, the Peter J. Duignan Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. He is writing a biography, Mobutu: the Rise and Fall of the Leopard King.

Mvemba covered the 2006 conflict and elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a grantee of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, embedded with United Nations peacekeepers in Ituri district and South Kivu province as a reporter. The Journal of Democracy, New York Times, Newsweek International, International Herald Tribune, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, The New Republic, Forbes and other outlets have published his analyses. A frequent commentator on African affairs, he has been a guest analyst on several radio and television programs, including PBS, NPR, BBC, Al Jazeera and Voice of America.

VOICE

"Growing up in the DRC, opportunities were scarce—everything was competitive; I had to fight for every chance to advance simply because there weren’t enough chances to go around. My parents’ generation didn’t have the external resources of wealth or position; they relied on their inner strengths to achieve what they did. My role models were generational. My voice emerged as I developed an appreciation for humanity, looking beyond ethnicity and life circumstances. As I observe crises around the world, I look for who is at the center of a crisis and every time it’s a human being. That person could be me or it could be you. Their stories aren’t different from ours, just their settings."

BACKGROUND

Mvemba has testified before various Congressional subcommittees, as well as the United Nations Security Council. He holds an International Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French from Southern Utah University. He served in the United States Marine Corps. Mvemba speaks several languages and travels extensively.

ANDRES DE LA ROCHE

Founder and Creative Director, A.DELAROCHEDESIGNS

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Andres’ boutique design studio in Washington, D.C. provides bespoke design services that create unique and memorable brand experiences and transform visual storytelling into effective design. Through his firm, Andres has developed a network of experienced writers, illustrators, web developers, and printers to bring a client’s vision to life in national and international arenas.

VOICE

“I’ve learned that to attain the results required to compete in today’s communication design industry, you have to be a dedicated innovator with a keen sense of your clients’ needs and have a background that spans through a wide range of design disciplines, both in the non-profit and corporate sector. I founded A. DELAROCHE DESIGNS because I wanted to provide clients with the kind of bespoke services that only a small studio can. I bring together experienced writers, illustrators, web developers, and printers, so that we can bring a client’s vision to life.”

BACKGROUND

His previous work as design and special events manager at the Smithsonian Institute serves as foundation for all aspects of brand design, development, implementation and maintenance in traditional and electronic media. He holds a Bachelor's in Fine Arts from the School of Design of the Art Institute of Washington.

SURABHI CHOPRA

Head – Strategy Planning and Head, India Chapter

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Surabhi is a collaborative leader and strong team player and strategist. She believes deeply in the value of education, and is driven to make a difference in the lives of young children and those coming from poverty-stricken backgrounds. Surabhi has been working towards community development since 2007, as a pro bono consultant, teacher and curriculum-builder, fund-raiser, and writer for multiple community development organizations.

VOICE

“I learned the power of my voice as a young child. Growing up, I was very reserved and lacked the self-confidence and self-esteem to face people. Thanks to one math teacher who took the time to sit down and talk to me, to recognize a part of me that even my parents did not know, I came to truly understand the importance of speaking one’s mind. She helped me find my voice and the power that lies within it. Now, I look forward to working with Inclusivus to help reach all those men, women, and children who lack the courage or platform to raise their voices and be heard!”

BACKGROUND

Surabhi is a commercial banking professional holding over 7 years’ of experience with Deutsche Bank AG and IndusInd Bank Limited. She currently works with a US-based fintech in the APAC head office based out of HongKong. Passionate about fintech start-ups and social entrepreneurship, she holds a dual degree MBA from Rotterdam School of Management and The Chinese University of HongKong as well as a Master in Commerce (Management) from the University of Mumbai.

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With more than 13 years’ experience in sales and marketing, Asha Hai has developed a keen creative edge in all aspects of image branding and public relations. From cultural festivals and art exhibitions to commercial campaigns and customer loyalty, Asha consistently designs, directs and delivers media relations programs to bring her clients’ brand to the forefront of public awareness.

VOICE

“I became aware of my voice when I was quite young, but I didn’t understand its power until much later in life. Coming from a traditional African family, I was brought up in a rigidly patriarchal style, that didn’t encourage my input. Over time I learned that anyone could provide input if it adds value and the more I used that as my motivation, the stronger my voice became. I realized that if my voice came from a place of sincerity, it would hit the mark every time. You don’t always know what your help means to the other person.”

BACKGROUND

Asha’s curiosity and passion has led her from the creative side of advertising to a highly specialized marketing niche in customer loyal. While it appears to be an odd career path of a lateral series of jobs, her career choices, informed by her curiosity, has led her to a fulfilling career without fear or expectations.